{"product_id":"p7254","title":"Ibe tea bowl","description":"This is an earlier work of a Kuro-Bizen (black Bizen) tea bowl by Kenji Takenaka, who transitioned from jewelry design to pottery and studied under Jun Isezaki.\u003cbr\u003e\nA record of his ceramic career up to 2005 is enclosed, indicating that the piece was created around that time.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a member of the Isezaki school, Mr. Takenaka was involved in the research and development of Jun Isezaki's black clay (nuri-tsuchi), and he has developed his Kuro-Bizen series as one of his signature works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile the black of the nuri-tsuchi appears as a modern, single-tone color from a distance, a closer look reveals that it is not a uniform black, but a delicate mixture of various colors.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe lively \"tobi-goma\" (splashed ash glaze) is characteristic of an anagama kiln firing, where flames rush through to the back of the chamber, showing how the ash was carried by the fire to the front, the back, and the interior of the bowl.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWith features such as the indentation on the front that welcomes the palm and the \"tokin\" (raised center) foot that reveals the clay against the Ibe-te body, the piece displays a masterful form that reflects Mr. Takenaka’s profound knowledge of antique ceramics and tea pottery.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAlthough this is an earlier work, there are no signs of staining or use.\n\nOriginal signed box (shiho-zan)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 12.5cm x 11.2cm x Height 9.5cm\n\nKenji Takenaka was born in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture in 1957.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFascinated by the material of clay, he transitioned from a jewelry designer to a ceramic artist.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter completing his studies at the Bizen Pottery Center in 1986, he served as an instructor there for two years.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1988, he began studying under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, and subsequently established his own kiln in 1994.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nSince then, he has been active primarily through solo exhibitions at department stores and galleries nationwide.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe has been selected numerous times for the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition, the Prefectural Exhibition, and the Exhibition of Tea Ceramics.","brand":"竹中健次","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618107084897,"sku":"7254","price":11000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7254.jpg?v=1790232432","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7254","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}